Process for the synthesis of polyol fatty-acid esters

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to a process for the synthesis of polyol fatty-acid esters by reacting a polyol and a fatty-acid lower-alkyl ester under substantially solvent-free conditions in the presence of a transesterification catalyst and an emulsifier. The process comprises a continuous initial reaction stage in a first reaction zone wherein a steady-state conversion is achieved of over 1 % and a further reaction stage in which the reaction mixture from said first zone is further reacted to the required polyol fatty-acid esters in one or more subsequent reaction zones.



